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Topic: Development of Ponderosa Pine.... (Read 4521 times)

I acquired this small Ponderosa Pine in 2003 from Andy Smith of Golden Arrow Bonsai – mostly because I thought it had an unusual twisted trunk. Now – 9 years later – I would like to share where it is today – and also mention a few of my mistakes and perhaps successes as well.

The tree pretty much just sat in the original pot Andy provided for at least 2 to 3 years while I let it grow and tried to figure out which side offered the best front. My original sketches and diagrams considered the opposite side as the best front – but eventually I switched to the rear view as the proposed front. The original goal as well to really compact the tree was what I wanted to try and achieve….and show off the curves in the trunk..now about 2 ½” in diameter…

I wouldn’t say at all that the first styling was particularly good – nor my decision to then cut the needles and almost every candle in the late fall of 2006 – trying the Fall Candle Technique I had read about from articles published by members of the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society. The tree looked pretty bad – almost scalped – but within a year it had really produced a lot of new buds and quickly filled in.

Probably 5 years after I had acquired the tree I moved it into the drum pot – made by an American potter who created many of the pots for Ponderosas for members of the RMBS. I removed and re-wired the tree at least 2 more times in years 2008, 2009 and 2010. Getting the branches to ramify is still not as challenging as creating decent foliage pads – and I am not sure if with a tree this size you can; roughly 12” to 14” tall and maybe 18” to 20” in width.

My decision to reluctantly cut the needles is still something I am not pleased with and for 2011 – I pretty much removed most of the wire and just let it grow. I removed the (2) strongest candles completely from the 2 strongest apex(s). I also raised it slightly in the pot and exposed that long surface root giving some depth.

It is pretty much overgrown now from the last photos and a few interior smaller branches have died – probably due to a lack of constant sun light. I will probably edit out some of the extra buds and try to compact and re define the shape again this year. I live in SE New York State. Tom …

Tom - I like what you've done with your Ponderosa. Nice progression photos and descriptive explanations. The last shot shows much improvement of the strong nebari - very nice!Do you ever try 'tie-down' wiring techniques? It might me the next step.Tell us a little about your placement of rock at the base. Will be following with great interest. Another NY Tom

No significance regarding the rock in the last photo - it just acts as a shim to keep that lower piece of trunk from getting too wet from the soil. As the surface rootage developes and gets stronger - there will be no need for the rock shim. Sure I use guy wires and that helps pull things in tighter - usually anchored to a jin or another wire. I tried loading earlier photos of the tree when I just purchased it in 2003 - but for some reason they can't load - as they are PDF files....Tom

You've done a very good job Tom. More compact, dynamic and healthy. But for me, that right primary branch is way too straight. It needs some movement to make it fit more with the movement in the trunk. Just a thought....Chris

Very nice tree, and thanks for sharing the long history that you have had with it.

Just out of curiosity, have you considered removing that long right branch and just working with the foliage on the left side? If you did that, you might accentuate the ruggedness of the tree as well as make it more compact. Just a thought, very nice ponderosa

Thanks for comments and suggestions - yes I agree that the main branch coming across looks too straight and either more movement or perhaps cutting back would work. Keeping the branch has helped filled out the tree - now it could be removed..Tom